Seat holders in the new south end zone of Lambeau Field will get an opportunity to “meet their seat” at a special open house on Thursday, July 18.

The event will run from 2-8 p.m. and will be self-guided, allowing ticket holders the opportunity to explore the newest stadium expansion at their own pace. Invitations have been mailed out to seat holders in the new south end zone, who will receive a map of the areas open for viewing upon their arrival.

Seat holders will have an opportunity to get a photo of themselves with a view of the stadium in the background, and some concession stands in the south end zone will be open, with special pricing for the event. The video boards will be showing the 2012 Packers highlight film on the hour, every hour, beginning at 3 p.m.

As part of the ongoing development of the “Titletown district” in the shadows of Lambeau Field, Bart Starr Drive will be extended south in the coming months, ultimately connecting Lombardi and Potts avenues in the area just a few blocks east of the stadium.

A dedication and groundbreaking ceremony for the road’s extension was held on Wednesday at the spot on Potts Ave. that will eventually mark the new end of Bart Starr Drive. Bart and Cherry Starr were on hand, along with a number of local public officials, for the ceremony.

“It’s still forming and transforming,” Ashwaubenon village president Mike Aubinger said of the Titletown district. “The recent addition and renovation of Lambeau Field shows that. Lambeau Field is such a great economic driver in this community, and the Starrs put their heart in that economic driver.”

Bart Starr Drive currently runs from Lombardi Ave. south to Tony Canadeo Run, in an area that is also accessed via roads named Holmgren Way, Brett Favre Pass and Reggie White Way. The extension to Potts Ave. is expected to increase economic development and activity in the area, with one local business — L.P. Mooradian, a flooring company that has served the community for decades — already committed to relocating to what will become the intersection of Potts Ave. and Bart Starr Drive.

With the road’s extension taking it from the city of Green Bay into the village of Ashwaubenon, officials from both municipalities joked about needing to put political differences aside and work together. On a more serious note, they noted it’s collaboration amongst themselves and Brown County that will help to maximize on the area’s potential.

“This is the type of cooperation we need to develop the Titletown district into an area that can contribute to a growing and vibrant economy,” said Ed Policy, Packers vice president and general counsel, who represented the organization at the event.

As for Starr, who was in Milwaukee on Tuesday night at QB Aaron Rodgers’ MACC Fund charity event, he was treated to the usual stories of those who remember his playing days. Aubinger talked about watching Starr practice during training camp while his older brother’s bike was ridden by Starr’s teammates. Policy mentioned growing up in Ohio with a Super Bowl I MVP poster of Starr on his bedroom wall. Even Tony Canadeo Jr., son of the Packers legend and Pro Football Hall of Famer, was flattered his father’s street would now mark an official intersection with Bart Starr Drive.

Starr took it all in with his trademark smile as he and Cherry were presented with an official street sign. Cherry noted how it always feels like they’ve “come home” when they visit Green Bay, and Starr of course agreed.

“This has been the greatest experience in our lives, living here and playing here,” Starr said. “It truly has been a bonus that we’ll never come close to matching.”

Will any fan crowd noise records be broken this Saturday vs. the Minnesota Vikings at Lambeau Field?

The noise from Packers fans at Lambeau Field gives the team a home-field advantage like few in the NFL. Each home game, the decibel levels are measured and tallied. Aside from the roar of the jets overhead during the National Anthem, here are the top loudest plays at Lambeau Field for the 2012 regular season.

01

Fake field goal goes the distance

Week 2: vs. Chicago Bears – as originally written by Mike Spofford:

On the Chicago 27-yard line following consecutive sacks and needing to get all the way to the 1 for a first down, the Packers had holder Tim Masthay throw a shovel pass to tight end Tom Crabtree, who was moving from left to right behind the line while kicker Mason Crosby was running left as a decoy.

Crabtree caught the flip cleanly, and with the help of downfield blocks from backup linemen Evan Dietrich-Smith and Don Barclay on Chicago safety Chris Conte, Crabtree cruised into the end zone untouched.

GAME DATE: SEPT 13, 2012

02

Daniels drops Skelton to the turf

Week 9: vs. Arizona Cardinals – as originally written by Mike Spofford:

DE Mike Daniels notched his second sack of the season and his first since Week 2. That also came at an important time, with the Cardinals at midfield in the final minute of the first half.

GAME DATE: NOV 4, 2012

03

D.J. Smith sacks Jay Cutler

Week 2: vs. Chicago Bears – as originally written by Mike Spofford:

Inside linebacker D.J. Smith sacked Cutler on a blitz on Chicago’s very first snap of the game, and that set a tone for the rest of the night.

GAME DATE: SEPT 13, 2012

04

Alex Smith brought down by Clay Matthews

Week 1: vs. San Francisco 49ers – as originally written by Mike Spofford:

Outside linebacker Clay Matthews had six multi-sack games in his first two seasons (including playoffs), but enjoyed just one such game last year.

So it was a good sign to see him start 2012 strong with 2½ sacks on Sunday, just shy of his single-game career high of three sacks, which he accomplished in the first two games of 2010. He went on to post 13½ sacks that year (17 including the postseason).

GAME DATE: Sep 13, 2012

05

Clay drops Cutler

Week 2: vs. Chicago Bears – as originally written by Mike Spofford:

The main guy up front was Clay Matthews, who was credited with 3½ sacks, though it could easily be argued he had four by himself. While his teammates were singing his praises – “Clay is always a monster,” Raji said – Matthews was crediting the secondary for some coverage sacks and his fellow rushers for their contributions.

GAME DATE: SEPT 13, 2012

06

Cobb weaves through traffic for six

Week 9: vs. Arizona Cardinals – as originally written by Mike Spofford:

Cobb had just three receptions, but two went for touchdowns. On the first, a 13-yard slant, Cobb said he actually took Donald Driver’s place in the formation at Driver’s urging, and then Driver and tight end Jermichael Finley threw the key blocks that left Cobb one-on-one with safety Adrian Wilson, who whiffed on a spin move.

“I went to line up in my spot, and ‘Drive’ pushed me over and told me to go get it,” Cobb said. “He gave me the opportunity.”

GAME DATE: NOV 4, 2012

07

Saints field goal sails wide left

Week 4: vs. New Orleans Saints – as originally written by Vic Ketchman:

They finally got a call to go their way, and it helped the Packers hold on for a 28-27 win over the New Orleans Saints.

Garrett Hartley’s field goal attempt from 43 yards with 2:58 to play in the game split the uprights and appeared to give the Saints a two-point lead, until a holding penalty moved Hartley back and necessitated a re-try, which he missed wide to the left.

GAME DATE: SEPT 30, 2012

08

Cobb takes 49ers punt to the house

Week 1: vs. San Francisco 49ers – as originally written by Mike Spofford:

Randall Cobb’s biggest play of the game came in the return game with a 75-yard punt return for a score that got the Packers back in the game in the fourth quarter.

“I saw the field open up to the wide side, tried to race them to the sidelines, and I got three good blocks along the way,” Cobb said. “When I set the kicker up, I knew I had a chance. As a returner, if you get tackled by the kicker, you’ve got some problems.”

GAME DATE: Nov 4, 2012

09

Rodgers hits Crabtree for a 72-yard score

Week 9: vs. Arizona Cardinals – as originally written by Mike Spofford:

On his birthday, TE Tom Crabtree hauled in a 72-yard TD that finished off the scoring in the Packers’ 31-17 victory over Arizona at Lambeau Field. The unassuming and normally blocking tight end lined up in the backfield, slipped out past linebacker Paris Lenon and then had no one between him and the end zone as he snagged a perfect throw in stride from quarterback Aaron Rodgers.

GAME DATE: NOV 4, 2012

10

Kuhn picks up 1st down on fake punt

Week 4: vs. New Orleans Saints – as originally written by Vic Ketchman:

The Packers attempted a fourth-down, fake-punt run by John Kuhn that converted a fourth-and-one from the Packers 17. Gutsy call? Conservative critics would apply other language to describe the play call, which occurred with the Packers leading 14-7 early in the second quarter.

“They gave us a look. They played heavy to the protection. It was a well-executed play by our punt team. Based on the pre-snap, I thought it was going to be an even bigger play,” McCarthy said.

Due to inclement weather, the Lambeau Field Atrium and all its businesses will close at 2 p.m. on Thursday, Dec. 20. The Atrium and all its businesses, including the Packers Pro Shop, Curly’s Pub and Packers Hall of Fame, will re-open Friday for regularly scheduled hours.

A minor fire occurred today on the construction site for the Lambeau Field expansion. The organization was very pleased that no one was injured. The Green Bay Packers appreciated the quick action by Miron personnel and other workers on site, as well as the subsequent work of the Green Bay Metro Fire Department, along with the Howard Fire Department. Damage was limited and is not expected to affect the project.

The Week 16 Packers-Titans game slated for Dec. 23 at Lambeau Field will remain a noon CT kickoff and will be televised by CBS.

The NFL has announced that the 49ers-Seahawks game has been flexed to prime time that night on NBC. The Chargers-Jets game originally scheduled for that night has been moved back to a noon CT kickoff on CBS, while the Giants-Ravens game on FOX has been moved from noon CT to 3:25 p.m. CT.